Means fob the



Sept. 5, 1939. J. D. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet l Well-B INVENTOR. Jeddy D. 'Nix0n ATTORN Sept. 5, 1939. J. NIXON Re. 21,199

MEANS FOR THE FLOWING 0F WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8 SheetsSheet 2 u 4T i t 8 E E 6 F i i 9) ,i i 86 a7 V 2 INVENTOR.

Jeddy D. Nixon ATTORNEY.

Sept. 5, 1939. J. D. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet I5 ATTORNEY.

Fig. 3

Sept. 5, 1939.

J. D. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING 0F WELLS s Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Original Filed May 4, 1936 oom m \oom Em b- 03 J. D. NIXON Re. 21,199

MEANS FOR THE FLOWING 0F WELLS Original Filed May 4. 1956 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 13

x 1 5 M wvv v vv V//////Q dv/ F v a Sept. 5, 1939. J. D. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig. 17

Fig. 16

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INVENTOR. Jeddy D. Nixon ATTORNEY.

Sept. 5, 1939. J. D. NIXON MEANS FOR THE FLOWING OF WELLS ori ihal Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet "r Fig. 20

Fig. 21

INVENTOR. Jeddy D. Nixon ATTOR EY.

Fig. 19

Sept. 5, 1939. J. D. NIXON Re. 21,199

I MEANS FOR THE FLOWING 0F WELLS Original Filed May 4, 1936 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Mg. 22 Fig. 23

INVENTOR. daddy D. Nixon ATTORNEY.

Reissued Sept. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE MEANS Fon rnn'rmwmc or warms Jeddy D. Nixon, Houston, Tex., assignor of onehalf toWilson Supply Company, Houston, Tex'.,

6 air, or other pressure fluid for flowing a well, casing.

which may be supplied by the well or from an A particular object of the invention is to prooutside source. vide an improved flow control unit including Another object of the invention is to provide means for introducing gas under pressure into improved means. for flowing a well which utilizes the well tubing below the liquid level therein,

the gas therefrom to lift the liquid from the well, together with means for retaining the gas pres- 10 whereby the liquid is raised expeditiously and sure within the well when the 83 pp y 18 m economically. on and production ceaseswhereby the retained An important object of the invention is to pro- P e sure w ed y new the We w he vide means for conserving the gas from a well or as s a a n S pp ed uD n the exteperation of r is lls, s that said gas may be used in a system the invention, which eliminates the necessity of and recirculated or rotated, whereby an allu d n p the Pressure Prior to each Operation enclosed system is provided for said gas. of the ll Another; object of the invention is to provide Another Object of t invention is to P an improved system of fl i n hi means operable from the surface of the well for sists in, packing off the well tubing to prevent admitting a gas pressure from the casing to the upward flow through the well casing, introducin tubing, whereby the liquid may be raised in the fluid under pressure into the tubing successively tubing and exp l at various points below the standing liquid l l Still another object of the invention is to pro-' therein, introducing said fluid-into the tubing at Vide an intermittent 110 8 control means 5 a single point below the 1 above introduction a m 8 8 Dreseure the easing into e points, and controlling from the surface of the tubing sa d mea s being y the P s well the flow of well fluid through the tubing at e qu 0011111111111 531d tubing above Said a point below the single point of introduction of means and closed by the as P e s in Sa d 09-8- the pressure fluid. ing passing through said means,- whereby the liq- Still another object of the invention is to prod s intermittently lifted u Of Said tubing, as -30 vlde means for introducing gas or air under presit is produeeda sure into a well tubing at a slnglepoint below the A lli e eble 0 the invention 15 o de standing liquid level therein, whereby the liquid ho sting means Operable by the ga Pressure fora is lifted only the distance from the point where, actuating some of the various controls of the well,

the natural flow stops to the surface, thereby resaid means being so constructed that the exhaust 35 quiring less auxiliary pressure-than is necessary therefrom is discharged into the flow line of the to raise the liquid column the run length of the well, whereby the gas is returned to the system tubing, as is the usual practice; thus resulting in and recirculated. I a great saving in operating costs, as well as mak- Another nblect of the invention .is to provide 40 log for more efllcient operation. P ee attached o thetllbing a 40 A further object of the "invention is to provide S o t e easing 8 Well, 50 as to P 01! an improved system of flowing wells which cont e Sp between the ub Hi the c s sists in, packing oil. the well tubing to prevent whereby upward and d w fl thereber upward flow through the well casing, introducing tween is P I Y fluid under pressure into the tubing at a single Stillanother object Of t e invention 15 t0 DI "45 point below the standing liquid level therein, and vlde an improved system of flowing wells which controlling from the surface of the well the flow co erves e see e pe from e separator and of well fluid through the tubing at a point below the same being repressured for lifting the fluid the point of introduction of the pressure fluid. in the well. The surplus gas is led ofl to an- Still another object of the invention is to proother Sys e 0 t Storage a tie 50 rial No. 123,444, February 1, 1937, which is a substitute for abandoned application Serial No. 79,641, May 4. 1936. Application, for reissue July 1, 1939, Serial No. 283,846

31 class. (or. 103-233) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for the flowing of wells.

One object of the invention is to provide improvedmeans for utilizing and controlling gas,

vide means for introducing fluid under pressure to the casing of a well below the standing level of liquid in said casing, and means located below said pressure fluid inlet for controlling the flow means being operable from the surface of the well, whereby the natural flow through saidtubing may be cut off at any desired time to permit an increased fluid pressure to build up within said A construction designed to out the invention will bezh erelnaiter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and with the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the upper portion of the well unit;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing" successive portions 01' the equipment extending down into the well;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of the entire 'well unit positioned in a well casing;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, transverse vertical sectional view of one form of aerating-valve;

Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 Figure 5} is an enlarged, transverse vertical sectional view of the liquid valve which is disposed in the tubing;

Figure 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on theJine of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line o1 Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line |2|2 of Figure 9; L

Figure 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line |3-|3 of Figure 9;

Figure 14 is an enlarged, transverse vertical view of one of the starting valves;

Figure 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view, taken on the line ||5 of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is an elevation of a retainer plug for the port oi the starting valve;

Figure 17 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on the line |1--|| of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view of another form of the aeratingvalve;

- Figure 19 is an enlarged detail view of the packer, partly in section and partly in eleva-' partly in'elevati'on; Figure 23 is a similar view of its lower portion of the same; and

Figure 24 is a detail view showing packer ready to be lowered into the casing. v

In the drawings, the numgal designates the derrick floor 01 a well A and llthe derrick .floor of a well B. The wells A and B are connected to a horizontally extending manifold l8 (Figure 1) in the usual manner by pipes l4 and IS. The manifold is connected to a suitable separator l2, which is connected by pipes |5to the usual stock tanks I: (only one being shown in the drawings, Figure 1).

The regular gas-outlet pipe I! of the separator is connected to a T ll, one outlet of which is connected to a suitable regulator l9 by a pipe 20. This regulator is set to hold a designated back pressure on the separator, in order to facilitate the operation thereof. Another regulator 22, similar to the regulator I9, is connected thereto by a T 23 and a field line 34 extending from the T 21, may lead to another installation, storage facilities, ,or for any desired use. The outlet of the regulator 32 may be connected, as desired, .to a suitable standpipe, torch or the like.

The regulator 32 is provided for holding a desired pressure in the fleld line 34. It is pointed out that it is not essential to the invention that the inlet 0! the regulator 32 be connected to a field line as shown, because it may be connected to a torch or the like.

The T I8 is also connected to one end of a horizontally extending scrubber 2| by a pipe 22. A suitable compressor 24 has a low compression cylinder 23, which is connected to the opposite end of the scrubber 2| by a pipe 25, and also a high compression cylinder 26. The cylinders are so designated that the low compression cylinder 23 may receive the fluid from the separator at the same pressure as the back pressure, which is held on the separator by the regulator l9, (usually 40 pounds). On the usual type of compressor, the low compression cylinder will only handle the fluid at atmospheric pressure and this means that the pressure of the fluid would first have to be reduced to atmospheric pressure and then drawn into said cylinder and compressed. Thus, the higher pressure drawn into cylinder 23 of the compressor 24 will not require as much energy to be compressed to the desired pressure as atmospheric pressure. The outlet of the high compression cylinder 26 is connected to a laterally extending manifold 21 by pipe 28 and the pipes 25 and 28 are provided with hand valves 28, so that the compressor 24 may be disconnected or removed for repairs or relacements. The manifold 21 is connected to well A by pipes 30 and to well B by pipes 3|.

As the hook-up for each well is somewhat similar, a description of one will sufllce for both. The regular well casing 35 (Figures 2 to 6) has the well tubing string 38 depending therethrough. The upper end of the casing is screwed into the usual casing head 31 (Figure 2) mounted above the ground level and the upperend of the tubing is supported within the casing head in the usual manner. The regular swage nipple 38 extends upwardly from the casing head and connects with the lower end of a T connection 39. A horizontal pipe 40 for carrying the liquid from the tubing has one end screwed into the T 39, and the other end is connected to the pipe |4 (Figure 1). A suitable, manually operated gate valve 4| is connected in the pipe 40, whereby the flow through said pipe may be closed. It is obvious that fluid flowing upwardly through the tubing 36 will flow through the nipple 38, T 39 and pipe 40, and through the pipe H. A suitable pressure gauge 42 is connected in the pipe 40 between the T and the gate valve, Figure 2. If desired,'a check valve 43 (Figure 1) may be inserted in the pipe 4|) between the valve 4| and the pipe I4.

The tubing string extends practically the full length of the casing 35 and its lower end may I depend to within a short distance of the bottom of the well or it may be spaced at some distance therefrom (Figures 5 and 6). The lower end of said tubing is provided with the usual screen or perforated bull plug 44. A suitablefiow packer 45 (Figures 4 6, 19 and 24) is connected in the tubing string near the lower end thereof and when set, this packer engages the inner wall of the casing 35 to prevent upward and downward flow through the space between said casing and the tubing, whereby the fluid from the bottom of the hole is caused to flow upwardly through said tubing. Although any suitable packer may be used, it is preferable to employ the packer disclosed in the drawings.

This packer, clearly shown in Figures 4, Q6, 19 and 24, includes an upright, tubular mandrel 46, provided at each end with screw threads, whereby it maybe readily connected in the tubing string. The upper portion of theomandrel' is reducedand carries. a double, integral thimble 41, having lips extending upwardly and downwardly, and oppositely flared, elastic packing collars 4B and 49 have their inner edges secured in the thimble, whereby their outer ends or ips are left free to contact and pack off the space between the casingand the tubing; The lower portion of the mandrel is provided with coarse; left-handed screw threads 50, and a: collar 5| is threaded thereon. The collar has a vertically extending sleeve 52 rotatably confined on its' outer periphery. A

In introducing the packer 45 into the well, thecollar 5| and sleeve 52 are screwed upwardly on the mandrel 45. The packing collar 59 is gathered inwardly (Figure 24) within the sleeve and it is obvious that during the lowering operation, said sleeve will prevent the packing collar from engaging the wall of the casing 35. When it is desired to set the packer; which is usually at the producing level of the well, the friction gripping springs 53 engaging the casing hold the collar 5| stationary. The tubing and mandrel 48 are rotated in a clockwise direction ,(Figure "is obvious that upward and/or-downward-flow through'the casing is positively prevented. Due

to the flare of the'packing collars 48 and 49, it is pointed out that the pressure fluid above the collar 48 will be prevented from passing below said packer; while the pressure fluid below the collar is prevented from flowing upward between the tubing and the casing.

Above the packer 55, a fluid control valve 54 (Figures 3, 4, 6 and 9-) is mounted in the tubing string and this valve controls the flow of the fluid through the tubing. The valve includes a nipple 55, having its upper and lower ends screw 0 threaded, to screw into coupling sleeves 3650f" the tubing string, whereby said sleeves connect said nipple with the tubing. The nipple is provided with a tapered bore 58 which is reduced toward its lower enda A reduced collar 51 surrounds the lower end of the bore and depends axially-from the nipple. The reduced collar 51 A valve ball ii is confined within the cage 58 and is held in constant engagement with the seat I by a coil spring 52-, which is located within the cage between" the lower end thereof and It is threaded through the lower end of the cage and extends ashort distance upwardly through the spring, serving as a guldetherefor, and as a stop for the downward movement of the ball 6|.

This lowering of the sleeve 52 ren the I underside of the ball. Anaxially extending bolt From the above it will be seen that normally the spring 62 holds the valve ball closed to prevent upward flow of the well fluid through the tubing It is pointed out that the fluid valve may be located at any specified distance below the normally extending liquid level of the well, as shown in Figure 6. a

For opening the valve by unseating the ball 8| an elongated, cylindrical weight 54 is movable vertically within the tubing above said ball. The weight is provided with a depending plunger 55 having a head 66 on its lower end. When the weight is lowered, the head of the plunger 55 engages the ball andforces it'downwardly under tension of the spring 62, thereby unseating said ball and opening the lower end of the tubing to permit upward flow of fluid therethrough. The weight is suspended from the lower end of a cable or wire line 61, which extends upwardly through the tubing 36 and through the casing head 31 at the surface of the well. A vertically.

extending stufling-bbx support 58 is mounted on the upper end of the T 39, and has the usual Stufiing-box 59 at its upper end. The cable 81 extends through said support and stuffing-box and to asuitable drum or hoist. The stuflingbox cap or nut 10 has an upright, marginal flange H on its upper end, which forms an oil chamber or reservoir, so that said wire line or cable 61 passing therethrough will be coated with a film of oil which prevents excessive wear on the studing-box 69 and stufllng-box support 88, as well as the cable.

Ata point above the fluid control valve 5, an

elongated sleeve or aerating valve 12 (Figures 3,

6 and '7) is connected in the tubing: This valve is made in two sections, 13 and H, which are welded together at 15. The lower section" has an upstanding off-set collar 16, which extends within the interior of the upper sections I3. The upper portion of the collar 16 is externally reduced so as to provide an annular space Tl be-.

tween this upper portion and the inner wall of the upper section 13. The lower portion of the upper section 13' of said valve is provided with a plurality of preferably small radial ports 18 which extend therethrough. These ports arein horizontal alignment with the reduced upper end of the collar 16, whereby a communication is established between the interior oi the casing and the interior of the tubing through the ports I! and annular space 11. Thus, when gas, air, or

A other pressure, is introduced into the upper end 01 the casing, this gas will pass from the easing into the tubing, thereby forcing any fluid in said tubing above the valve 12 to the surface. It is pointed outthat valve 12 admits only a small quantity of pressure fluid into the tubing, so that said pressure fluid is not wasted.

Above the aerating valve 12, an elongated collar forming a valve 19 (Figures 6 and 14) is connected to the tubing string. An internal, annular chamber 80 is formed in the valve and has a number of inwardly directed, guide ribs 8| extending thereinto and also, an inwardly directed boss 82." A radial port 83 extends through the bossand the wall of the valve, and provides communication between the casing and the tubing when the port is open, so that pressure fluid may enter the tubing from the casing, whereby any oil: in the tubing above the port 83 is raised and carried out of said tubing. The port is provided at its inner end with a seat, and a valve ball engages said seat for closing the port. The outer end of said port is internally screw threaded, so

. the tubing string 36.

as to receive a perforated retaining ring 85. Thus, it will be seen that a cage is formed for said ball 94 and it will be noticed in Figures 14 and 15, that when the weight 54 passes through said valve, the guide ribs 8| will force said weight into contact with the concaved inner face of the boss 82; whereby said weight will engage the ball 84 and force the same from its seat. In this position, liquid and pressure fluid will flow into the tubing until the port is closed. When the weight has passed through the collar 19, the suction of the pressure fluid flowing through the open port will draw the ball onto its seat and thus close the port.

In Figure 6 a typical installation is shown in which three starting valves I9 are mounted in However, it is pointed out that the number of starting valves used depends on each individual installation and may be as many as necessary. The spacing of the starting valves 19, the aerating valve 12, the fluid valve 54 and the packer 45 all depend on each individual installation and varies accordingly. It will be seen that the invention is very flexible and can be adjusted to suit any condition encountered in which the invention is to be installed. The various elements to be taken into consideration include the size of the tubing being used; the size of the casing in the well; the liquid level in the well, that is, the level at which the liquid normally stands in the casing; the bottom hole pressure, the pressure of the gas in the oil sand at the bottom of the well; and the amount of oil that is desired to be removed from the well each day.

For introducing gas, air, or other pressure fluid into the casing 35, a supply line 86 (Figure 2) has one end connected to the pipe 30 (Figure 1) for receiving the compressed pressure fluid, from the compressor 24 and its other end connected in one side of the casing-head 31. A suitable pressure regulator 81 is preferably connected in this line and a manually operated control valve (not shown) similanto the control valve 4| may be connected in this line, if desired. A suitable pressure gauge 88 is connected in the opposite side of the casing-head from the supply line 86 (Figure 2). It is obvious that compressed gas or air supplied to the line 86 will be directed into the casing 35 of the well and to be utilized to raise the liquid from the well. The regulator 81 maintains the required operating pressure in the casing and prevents anyvfluctuation in the pressure maintained in said casing and also said pressure being increased.

The wire line or cable 61 may be operated by any suitable means. A small auxiliary hoist 89 has been provided, which is operated from the pressure fluid in the pipe 3|] and is connected to said pipe by the intake pipe 90 in which is provided a manually operated control valve 91. The pipe 90 leads to the intakes of a fluid actuated turbine 92, which has its exhaust 93 connected into the return or flow line 40. It is pointed out that the gas is circulated and conserved so as to be used repeatedly. The turbine drives a drum 94 through a suitable gear train 95 or other speed reducing means, and the cable 51 is wound on said drum. A slidable rod 95 is connected to a sliding clutch arrangement 91, which will move the pinion 98 into and out of engagement with the gear 99 on the drum 94. A suitable braking pitman I having a brake band Illl attached thereto, works on the drum so'as to form an effective brake therefor.

In operation, the fluid level of the well is ascertained and the apparatus installed in the tubing string 36 (Figure 6), in accordance with the conditions found in the installation under discussion. The bull plug 44 or a screen of the desired length is screwed into the lower end of the guide collar I92 (Figure of packer 45. The collar 5| and sleeve 52 (Figure 24) are screwed upwardly on the mandrel 46 and the lower packing collar 49 is gathered inwardly within said sleeve, so that the lips of the packing collar will not engage the wall of the casing when the same is lowered into the-well. The tubing 36 is connected with the top of the packer (Figure 19); and the fluid control valve 54, the aerating valve 12 and the starting valves 19 (Figures 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9) are each connected in the tubing as hereinbefore described, the number of starting valves being controlled by the well requirements. 7

The assembly is lowered into the well, until the packer is at the depth at which it is desired to set the same, preferably at the producing level of the well. The tubing string 35 and mandrel (Figures 4 and 24) it is obvious that an upward or downward flow through the casing is prevented. As will be seen in Figure 6, the packer is set at some distance below the standing liquid level of the well. s

The weight64 suspended from the cable 51 is inserted within the tubing, the stufling-box support 68, stuffing-box packing B9 and cap 10 are mounted on the T connection 39 and the marginal flange H filled with oil. The gas or fluid pressure is then introduced into the casing and the weight 64 is lowered down into the No. 1 starting valve 19, (Figure 6). As the gas pressure is built up in the casing 35, the pressure will be exerted upon the fluid level, so that the same is lowered by reason of the fluid being forced into the tubing 36 through the port 83 of the valve 19. As the pressure continues building up, the fluid level in the casing is lowered until the fluid level is below the port 83, at which time the gas will enter said port and lift the fluid in the tubing up and out thereof. fluid level is below the port 83 and then the weight 64 is lowered out of the No. 1 starting valve 19. The pressure of the gas passing through the port 83 will draw the valve ball 84 into its seat and thus close the port.

The loweringof the weight is continued until the No. 2 starting valve I9 is opened and the same operation is repeated until this valve is kicked oil, that is, the fluid in the casing being forced into the tubing and being raised and expelled. The No. 3 starting valve 19 is kicked off in the same manner, and the weight is lowered to a position below said No, 3 starting valve but above the aerating valve. As the ports in the aerating valve 12 (Figure 7) are always open, it does not require the weight 84 to open them or to kick ofi. However, this valve kicks off in the same manner as the other valves and as soon as it does start flowing, ,the weight is lowered until the head 66 on the lower end of the plunger 65, which depends from the bottom of the weight,

Thus, the operator knows that the' engages'the ball SI of the fluid valve 5'4 (Figure 9). The fluid below the packer from the oil sand is now free to enter the perforations of the bull plug 44 andto flow upwardly through the fluid valve M, into the tubing. As the bottom 'h'ole pressure of the well is sufllcient to carry the as all of the fluid has been expelled from the tubing, the gate valve II" is 'clos'ed an'd if a gate valve is provided in the gas pressure supply line 86, it may be closed. However, it ishot necessary, as the regulator 81 will permit only a certain designated pressure to be built up In the casing 35. It is true that the pressure in thetubing and the casing will remain the same as long as the valve II is closed. The assembly may be inoperative for any length of time desired, because it is not possible for the gas presstlre to escape, and therefore, a constant built-up pressure is -maintained in the casing and-the tubing. However, when it is desired to again operate-the well,, the valve II is opened and the weight 64 is lowered so as to open the fluid control valve 5. The

bottom hole pressure will again lift the-fluid above the aerating valve, andthe gas now entering the aerating port will lift said fluid up'and out of the tubing and the well is now producing as before.

It is preferable to locate the entire assembly of starting valves, aerating valves, fluid valve and packer below the standing liquid level of the well. In Figure 6, I have illustrated the various elements of the assembly as mounted at certain distances, and it is to be understood that these figures are merely for the purposes of illustration and the invention is not to be limited to" them. It is pointed out that when the apparatus is used indifferent wells, difl'erent conditions are present and naturally the apparatus will have to be modified to fit each individual installation. However, it is, essential in all cases that the aerating valve 12, which has the ports ll therein, be below the standing fluid level within the well. The usual practice in lifting fluid by pressure has been to introduce pressure at the bottom "of the well, and thereby raise the entire column of fluid in the tubing-the full length of the well.

There is a disadvantage to lifting fluid in this manner, as an enormous pressfie is required to accomplish the same, and particularly to "kick off or start the lifting of the fluid. As illustrated by the assembly shown in the drawings. the fluid is raised relatively a small'amount at a time and consequently, the fluid can be raised with-a much smaller pressure, which results in decreased operating costs.

In many instances, a well is operated only a limited period each day. and in such cases, it is desirable that the well kick of!" or how immediately. With all of the present flowing devices, quite some time isrequired to obtain production after'starting building up a gas pressure in the casing, because during the time the ,well is inactive, the fluid in the casing and the tubing have risen to the standing level within the well. This disadvantage is overcome by the invention shown in the drawings.

It is again pointed out that any suitable packer aerating valve 12.

45 may be employed, although the type shown in the drawings is preferred. The fluid valve 54 aerating valve I2 and starting valves I9 are all subject to variations, and several modified forms of the aerating valve are illustrated in the draw-- ings. The depth at which the various elements of the assembly are located in the tubing string varies with each particular well in which the assembly is used, although it is preferable that the aerating valve 12 be below the standing fluid level in the well. Although the device has been described as utilizing gas pressure, it is obvious that air or other fluid pressure could be employed.

When the fluid comes out, of the tubing it passes through the swage nipple 38, T 39 and intothe pipe 40, which'is connected to the pipes I4 and I5. It will be noticed in Figure 1 that these pipes It and I5 are connected to a manifold I 8, which leads to the separator I2. In the separator the liquid is separated from the fluid and is led off through pipe It to stock tank I3. The gas outlet of the separator is connected to regulator, I9,by pipe I1, in order that the regulator may hold a certainamount of back pressure on said outlet; The pipe II hasa T I8 connected therein and pipe 22 connected to said T so as to lead a certain amount of gas from the separator, to a scrubber II, from which it is discharged into a compressor 24 through pipe 25. Due to the regulator I9 holding a back pressure on the pipes I1 and 22, the gas will be delivered to the low T 33 which in turn is connected to a. similar regulator 32. A field line 34 is connected to the T 33 and may lead ofl to another installation, to storage facilities, or as desired. Thus, it will be seen that the regulator 32 will hold a certain back pressure on the line 34. regulator 32 may be connected to a suitable standpipe, torch, or the like, if desired, so as to take care of any surplus gas discharged through said regulator.

In Figure 18, another form of the aerating valve 12 is shown and this formcomprlses an elongated coupling collar I04, having internally screw threaded boxes at each end, so as to be connected into the tubing string 36. An annular,\ externally screw threaded boss III! is provided intermediate the ends of the collar I04 and a bandor ring I06. having a snug engagement with the collar is threaded on the boss. An annular, external channel I01 is provided on the collar I04 immediately below the screwthreaded boss I05, and the ring III! is provided with an annular, perforated section III. This perforated section is positioned so as to provide admittance of gas pressure from the casing through said section I88 and into the channel I01. A plurality of upwardly inclined ports or ducts I .9 connect the channel with the interior of the coupling collar HM. While it is preferable to use three of such ports I09, any number desired maybe used. The operation of this form of the aerating valve and the results obtained are the same as the The outlet side 01' the slow, or where it is only desired to remove a oertain quantity from the well each day, the intermittent form of aerating valve is used. An elon- I gated, upper coupling collar H and lower coupling collar I H are connected in the tubing by 10 ,means of the usual internally screw threaded boxes Ill) and III. These two collars are connected together by a short length of tubing H2,

so as to space said collars at the desired distance. The upper collar H0 is provided medially of its length with a horizontally extending duct or passage ll3. A vertical, upwardly extending duct or passage I ll is drilled in the collar Hi] and terminates short of the duct 3, but is connected thereto by'a short, axial passage or port H5. The passage Ill forms a cylinder or housing for a cylindrical valve Hi having a conical point or seat Ill. The cone of the valve flts within. the axial port H5, so as to close the sanie when the valve is in its uppermost position. The valve is provided with a depending valve rod H8, which is screw threaded on its lower end, so as to engage in an upset box H9 on a guide rod l2l. An elongated weight l2ll loosely mounted on the rod I I8 rests on the, upset box. The lower portion of the guide rod l2! slides within a vertically extending passage I22 in the lower coupling member Ill. The weight I20 may be of any desired number of pounds, as the number of pounds help control the operation of the valve Hi.

In operating this form of the aerating valve, said valve is "kicked off as described for the other forms of aerating valves and the gas pressure entering the passages H4, H and H3 will draw the valve H6 upwardly, so that the conical point I'll will enter the port H5 and close the same. The gas pressure -will hold the valve closed. As the fluid builds up in the tubing above the duct I I3, the weight of the fluid exerts a pressure on the valve H6 and when the fluid has risen sufliciently in the tubing 36 to overcome the pressure of the gas on the valve, said fluid will open said valve. when this occurs, the gas pressure will enter the tubing and aerate the column of fluid and lift the same up and out of the tubing.

As soon as suflicient oil has been removed to reduce the weight on the valve to a predetermined amount, the gas pressure will again close the valve.

It will be seen in Figure 23 that when the valvev opens it will only drop ashort distance, as the upset box 9 will engage the upper face of the coupling member II I, and therefore the valve H6 will never drop down and out of the passage Ill. It is pointed out that the weight I20 is variable, as a heavier or lighter weightmay be readily placed on the valve rod 8. The heavier weight will make the valve open quicker so as to discharge the fluid more often and a lighter weight will require more oil pressure to open the valve H6, so as to discharge less frequently. Thus, it will be seen that by increasing or decreasing the weight I20, the opening and closing of said valve will be controlled.

The packer I5 is usually placed approximately at the producing level of the well, because ordinarily the aerating valve 12 is connected in the tubing string 36 a relative short distance above said packer. The producing level of a well is that level in the well where the well fluid may be removed the easiest and most conveniently. There are three pressures presentin each well which have to be considered in installing the invention. These are: the necessary operating pressure, the greatest as it has to'lift the well fluid up and out of the well; the bottom hole pressure, the next as it will only lift the fluid to .the normal standing well fluid level of the well; and the pressure of the fluid, which is a combination of the operating pressure, the bottom hole pressure and the weight of the fluid after it has been aerated.

This application is filed as a substitute for my abandoned application, Serial No. 79,641.

Having described my invention,- what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A well flowing apparatus including, a. tubing for conducting fluids up the well, a valve at the lower portion of the tubing controlling the admission of fluids from the sands to said tubing, means for introducing a lifting fluid into the tubing above said valve and below the liquid level therein, a weighted tool movable throughout the length of the tubing above said valve for engaging and opening the valve, a cable extending vertically in said tubing and suspending said tool, and means on the surface for running the cable and tool from the lower portion of said tubing to the top thereof.

2. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluids from the well, a kick-oil? valve mounted in the tubing for admitting a lifting fluid and being normally closed, a fluid inlet valve at the lower portion of the tubing below thekicl-r-oif valve and normally closed, and a tool mounted to be lowered in the tubing for positively engaging and opening the kick-oil valve and subsequently engaging and opening the inlet valve.

3. A.well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluids from the well, a'kick-ofl valve mounted in. the tubing for admitting a lifting fluid and being normally closed, a fluid inlet valve at the lower portion of the tubing below the kick-on valve and normally closed, a

tool mounted to be iowe ed in the tubing for positively engaging and g opening the kick-off valve and subsequently engaging and opening the inlet valve, and an aerating valve mounted in the tubingbetween the kick-ofi valve and the inlet valve.

4. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluids from the well, a plurality of kick-off valves normally closed and disposed in the tubing at successive elevations below the level v of the column oi. fluid standing in said tubing and normally closed, an aerating valve mounted in the tubing below the kick-0E valves and normally open, a) fluid inlet valve connected in the tubing below the aerating valve and normally closed, and a tool mounted to belowered through the tubing for successively engaging the kick-oil valves and positively opening each of the same and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid inlet valve.

5. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluids from the well, a plurality of and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid inlet valve, and a packer mounted between the 8; A well flowing apparatusincludin'g, a tubing for conducting fluids from the well, a kick-off valve mounted in the tubing for admitting a lifting fluid and being normally closed, a fluid inlet valve at the lower portion of the tubing below the kick-oil valve and normally closed, a tool mounted to be lowered in the tubing for positively engaging and opening the kick-oil valve and subsequently engaging and opening the inlet valve, means for separating the liftingfluid from the fluids. discharged. from the tubing, means for repressuring the said lifting fluid, and means for delivering said repressured separated fluid to the kick-off valve.

7'. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing for conducting fluids up the well, a kick-off valve mounted in the tubing and having an element projecting into the bore of said tubing, a fluid inlet valve at the bottom of the tubing for admitting fluid from its source of production, a tool arranged to travel down the tubing and having means for engaging the valve element to positively open the same and for engaging the inlet valve and opening the same when lowered thereto, and a cable. attached to said tool for rapidly running the same up and down the well.

8. A well flowing apparatus including, a tubing in the well for conducting fluids from the well, means for admitting a lifting fluid to the tubing from the'well, means for admitting liquid from the sands to the tubing, and a movable actuating device suspended in the tubingand movable from the surface for sequentially opening said fluid admitting means andsaid liquid admitting means by direct contact of said actuating device.

- mally closed,a tool mounted to be lowered through 9. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing withinthe well bore, a packer 'for packing off the tubing from said wellto prevent flow through said well, means below the standing fluid level in the tubing for controlling the flow of well fluid from the producing formation into said tubing, a sleeve having a longitudinal bore and.

radial ports therein connected in the "tubing below the standing fluid level therein and above the packer, said ports opening directly into said bore,

means for admitting fluid under pressure into said well and into said tubing through the ports of saidsleeve, whereby said pressure fluid lifts the well fluid thereabove irrsaid tubing to the surface,

and means controlled from the surface of the well for operating the well fluid control means and pressure fluid admitting means.

10. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the well bore, a series of flow valves normally closed mounted in the tubing at successive elevations below the level of the column of fluid standing in said tubing, an aerating valve mounted in said tubing below the flow valves and normally open,'a fluid inlet valve connected in said tubing below the aerating valve and norsaid tubing for successively engaging the flow valves and positively opening each of the same and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid inlet valve, and a wire line connected to the tool for rapidly raising and lowering the same in said tubing.

11. Awell flowing assembly including, a. well tubing within the well bore. a plurality of kick oiI above the standing well fluid level, means con-.

trolled from the surface of the well for opening .a selected one of said kick off valves as desired, whereby said pressure fluid forces the well fluid from the" standing level down in said well through the opened valve and into said tubing and then said pressure fluid lifts said well fluid in said tubing above said opened valve to the surface, said pressure fluid forcing said well fluid in said well through the aerating valve after the level thereof has been lowered sufliciently by the successive opening of said valves, and a well fluid control valve connected in said tubing below the aerating valve and normally closed, said control valve being disposed so as to be opened by said surface controlled valve-opening means after said pressure fluid is flowing through said aerating valve.

12. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the well bore, a pluralityof kick off valves connected in said tubing below the standing fluid level therein, an aerating valve connected in said -tubing below the valves, means for admitting fluid under pressure into said well said pressure fluid lifts said well fluid in said tubing above said opened valve to the surface, said pressure fluid forcing said well fluid in said well through the aerating valve after the level thereof has been lowered sufflciently by the successive opening of said valves, a well fluid control valve connected in said tubing below the aerating valve and normallyclosed, said control valve being disposed so as to be opened by said surface controlled valve-opening means after said pressure fluid is flowing through said aerating valve, and a packer connected in said tubing below said aerating valve to pack off said tubing from said casing, whereby said well fluid will only flow through said tubing and the downward travelof said pressure fluid is limited.

13. A well flowing assembly including, a tubing arranged to be mounted in the bore of the well, a single valve mounted in said tubing and having an actuating member exposed for operation, 'a fluid admitting valve mounted in said tubingand having an actuating element exposed for opera tion, and means arranged to be lowered into the Welland having a member thereon'arranged to engage and operate said actuating element to open said single valve and subsequently to operthe flow valve and positively opening the same and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid inlet valve, and a wire line connected to the detubing within the well bore, a series of flow valves vice for rapidly raising and lowering the same in said well.

15. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within a well bore, a series of flow valves normally closed mounted in the tubing at successive elevations belowthe level of column of fluid standing in said tubing, a fluid inlet valve connected in said tubing below the flow valves and normally closed, a device mounted to be lowered in said well for successively engaging the flow valves and positively opening each of the same and subsequently engaging and opening the fluid inlet valve, and a wire line connected to the device for rapidly raising and lowering the same in said well.

.16. A well flowing assembly including, a well normally closed mounted in the tubing at successive elevations below the level of theycolumn of fluid standing in said tubing, a device mounted to be lowered in the well bore for selectively engaging only one of the flow valves and positively opening the same, and a wire line connected to the device for rapidly raising and lowering the same in said well. e

17. A well flowing assembly including, a tubing in a well having a column of liquid standing in the well, a plurality of means connected in the tubing at successively lower elevations for admitting a lifting fluid to the column of liquid in said tubing to start the flowing of said column of liquid, and means for positively and selectively engaging and opening one of said lifting fluid admitting means to admit lifting fluid to the tubing and for moving out of engagement to release said means to permit the lifting fluid to close the particular admitting means which has been opened.

18. The combination with a well tubing for flowing a well, of ;a plurality of normally closed pressure fluid inlet valves connected in said tubing at spaced elevations and arranged to be closed by the flow of the pressure fluid, a flexible means suspended in the tubing and controllable from the top of the well, and means on said flrst mentioned means arranged to positively engage and open a selected, valve when said flexible means is moved vertically in said tubing and to positively release said valve when said means is moved out of actuating position, whereby the flow of the pressure fluid may close said valve. I

19. A fluid inlet valve for a well flowing assembly having a well fluid flow conduit including, an elongate body having a bore extending therethrough and adapted to be connected in said conduit, said body having an inlet opening for admitting a pressure fluid into said bore of said body and into said flow conduit for lifting fluid in said conduit, a valve member for opening and closing said inlet and having a portion exposed in said bore of said body, surface controlled means for engaging said portion and actuating said valve member, guides in said bore for guiding said surface controlled means and a fluid passageway extending through said body between said' guides, whereby fluid may by-pass said means when said valve member is in an open position.

20. A fluid inlet valve for a Well flowing assembly having a well fluid conduit including, an elongate body having a bore extending therethrough and adapted to be connected in said conduit, said bodyhaving an inlet opening for admitting a pressure fluid into said bore of said body and into said conduit for lifting fluid in said conduit, a ball valve for opening andclosing said inlet opening and having a portion exposed in said bore in its closed position, surface controlled operating means for engaging said exposed portion andunseating said ball valve, a guide in said bore for guiding said operating means into said body, and a fluid passageway extending through said body, whereby fluid may by-pass said operating means when said means is within said body.

21. A fluid inlet valve for a well flowing assembly having a well fluid conduit including, an elongate body having a bore extending therethrough and adapted to be connected in said conduit, said body having an inlet opening for admitting a pressure fluid into said bore of said body and into, said conduit for lifting fluid in said conduit, said inlet opening being provided with means constituting a valve cage, a ball valve in said cage for opening and closing said inlet opening and having a portion exposed in said bore of saidbody, and means arranged to be operated from the surface of the well for engaging said exposed portion and actuating said valve in said cage.

22. In a fluid lift well flowing device, the combination of a well casing, a tubing in the well casing, means for supplying a lifting fluid to the casing, a fluid pressure responsive inlet valve mounted in the tubing and arranged to be actuated by the pressure fluid to admit pressure fluid to said tubing for lifting liquid therein, a

surface operated valve connected in said tubing and spaced from said fluid actuated valve to admit fluid from said casing into the tubing, means depending in the tubing from the surface of the well, a device carried by said means for positively operating said surface operated valve, and means on the surface of the well connected to said depending means for raising and lowering thesame to open and close said last-named valve.

23. In a fluid lift well flowing device, the combination of a well casing, a tubing in the well casing, means for supplying a lifting fluid to the casing, a fluid pressure responsive inlet valve mounted in the tubing and arranged to be actuated by the fluid pressure to admit fluid to said tubing, a surface operated valve mounted in said tubing and being spaced from said fluid" actuated valve to admit fluid from said. casing .into the tubing, connecting means depending in the tubing from the surface of the well, a device carried by said connecting means for positively operating said surface operated valve, and pres sure fluid actuated means on the surface on the well connected to said connecting means for raising and lowering said device to open and close said last-named valve.

24. A fluid inlet valve for a well flowing assembly having a well fluid flow conduit including, an elongate body having a bore extending therethrough and adapted to be connected in said conduit, said body having an inlet opening fqr admitting a pressure fluid into said bore ofsaid body and into said conduit, a ball valve for opening and closing said inlet opening and having a portion exposed in said bore in its closed position, surface controlled opera-ting means for engaging said exposed portion and unseating said ball valve, and guide ribs in saidbore of said body for guiding said operating means into said body, said ribs" extendinginwardly from the wall of said bore and being laterally spaced so as to form fluid passageways through said bore and in the space between said ribs, whereby when said operating means is in said bore of said body and engaging said guide ribs and said exposed portion of said ball valve fluid may flow through said passageways between said ribs and bypass said operating means.

25. A fluid inlet valve for a well flowing assembly having a well fluid flow conduit including, an elongate body having a bore extending therethrough and adapted to be connected in said conduit, said body having an inlet opening for admitting a pressure fluid into said bore of said body and into said conduit, said inlet opening having means to provide a valve cage, a ball valve in said cage for opening and closing said inlet opening and having a portion exposed in said bore of said body in its closed position, surface controlled operating means for engaging said exposed portion and unseating said ball valve, and guide ribs in said bore of said body for guiding said operating means into said bore, said ribs extending inwardly from the wall of said bore and being laterally spaced so as to form fluid passageways through said bore and in the space between said ribs, whereby when said operating means is in said bore of said body and engaging said guide ribs and said exposed portion of said ball valve fluid may flow through said passageways between said ribs and bypass said operating means.

26. In a fluid lift well flowing, the combination of a well casing, a well tubing in the well casing, means for supplying a pressure lifting fluid to said well casing, a fluid pressure responsive inlet valve mounted in the tubing and arranged to be actuated by fluid pressure to admit pressure fluid to said tubingfor lifting liquid therein, a surface operated valve connected in said tubing and spaced from said fluid actuated valve to admit fluid from said casing into said tubing, a flexible connection depending in the tubing from the surface of the well, and a device carried by said flexible connection for positively operating said surface operated valve.

27. In a fluid lift well flowing device, the combination of a well casing, a well tubing in the well casing, means for-supplying a lifting fluid to the casing, a fluid pressure responsive inlet valve mounted in the tubing and arranged to be actuated by fluid pressure to admit pressure fluid to said tubing for lifting liquid therein, a surface operated valve connected in said tubing and spaced from said fluid actuated valve to ad'- mit fluid from said casing into said tubing, a flexible connection depending in said tubing from the surface of the well, a device carried by said flexible connection for positively operating said surface operated valve, and means on the surface of the well connected to said flexible connection for raising and lowering the same to open and close said last named valve.

28. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the well bore, a plurality of kickoff valves connected in said tubing below the standing fluid level therein, and a surface controlled device movable into and out of the well bore and being common to each of the valves for positively opening a selected one of said kickoff valves to the exclusion of the others, whereby said pressure fluid forces the well fluid from the standing level down in said well through the opened valve and into the tubing, and then said pressure fluid lifts said well fluid in said tubing above said opened valve to the surface.

29. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubingwithin the Well bore, a plurality of kickoff valves connected in said tubing below the standing fluid level therein, means for admitting fluid under pressure into said well above the standing well fluid level, and a device adapted to be lowered in the well and controlled from the surface of the well for selectively opening any one of said kick-off valves as desired and the remaining valves being closed, whereby said pressure fluid forces the well fluid from the standing level down in said well through the opened valve and into said tubing and then said pressure fluid lifts said well fluid in said tubing above said opened valve to the surface.

30. A well flowing assembly including, a well tubing within the well bore, a plurality of kick-off valves connected in said tubing below the standing fluid level therein, means for admitting fluid under pressure into said well above the standing well fluid level, and a device adapted to be reciprocated in the well and controlled from the surface of the well for opening a selected one of said kick-off valves and the remaining kickoff valves being closed, whereby said pressure fluid forces the well fluid from the standing level down in said well through the opened valve and into said tubing and then said pressure fluid lifts said well fluid above saidopened valve in said tubing to the surface.

31.'In a fluid lift well flowing device, the combination of a well casing, a tubing in the well casing, means for supplying a pressure lifting fluid to said well casing, a fluid pressure responsive inletvalve mounted in the tubing and arranged to be actuated by fluid pressure to admit pressure fluid to said tubing for lifting well fluid therein, a surface operated valve connected in said tubing and spaced from said fluid actuated valve to admit fluid from said casing into said tubing, means to effect positive displacement of the surface operated valve, and means in the tubing depending from the surface of the well to positively actuate said surface operated valve displacement means.

JEDDY D. NIXON. 

